Minister Of Trade Zulkifli Hasan Admits It's Not Easy To Resolve Dependence On Imported Food

Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said the main problem was the high prices of various basic needs due to dependence on imported food.

Even so, he admitted that it was not an easy job to solve food problems, especially those related to imports.

"We will see, we will fix it. We will solve it together with other ministries. It is not easy, especially regarding imported food," he said at Cibubur Market, Jakarta, Thursday, June 16.

The man who is familiarly called Zulhas took the example of the increase in the price of chicken meat, this is because chicken feed in Indonesia is imported.

"Why is chicken rising? Apparently the feed is imported. So we are very dependent on imports. Meat too. All imports, our problem," he said.

Even so, said Zulhas, overcoming rising food and basic food prices, especially those related to imports, is not only the domain of the Ministry of Trade. He said this work had to be done across ministries.

"It can't just be the Ministry of Trade. Our problem is the dependence on food imports," he explained.

Previously reported, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan admitted that he was surprised after hearing complaints from buyers and traders regarding the current increase in prices of basic commodities and basic necessities.

He received the complaint during a visit to Cibubur Market, East Jakarta.

"I'm in shock because the complaining buyers who trade are also complaining," he said at Cibubur Market, Jakarta, Thursday, June 16.

The man who is familiarly called Zulhas said the increase in the price of basic commodities and basic necessities has increased the burden on people's lives.

"It feels like the burden of living has increased. We saw it firsthand. The prices of all basic commodities, except rice, have increased by almost 20-30 percent. From Rp. 80,000 red cayenne, it has increased to Rp. 100-Rp. 110,000. Red chilies are also Rp. 80,000. up to IDR 90,000," he said.